I love credit cards so much!

[tink1970]

If I was to open an account to earn points to purchase the tickets at either of these two places, which one would you credit card experts suggest? I would probably just charge all bills to it and that would be it. Pay it off course each month.

What is your goal for using a credit card to buy tickets? Is it cash or airline miles or flexible travel points? This will help guide you to the best credit card scenario.

Disney has released Armed Forces Salute Tickets every year since 2008 so hopefully they'll do it again (fun fact, our first trip with DD was in 2003 when they were GIVING AWAY tickets to WDW to active duty families!).

That said...
If you buy at MWR then the tickets might code under travel, but I honestly don't know. If you purchase at either Shades of Green or ITT/MWR, they will be tax free AND the Armed Forces Salute tickets (either 4 or 5 day park hopper; can also buy 4 or 5 day park hopper plus) prices are a significant deal over regularly priced and even Florida resident rate (please refer to mouse savers for comparison). Note that the Armed Forces Salute has blackout dates...for this year they are not good after Dec 19.

Our ITT accepts Mastercard/Visa/Discover/Amex but I'd check with your local one before I committed to a strategy.

If you want cash back, then I'd get a discover it card-it has rotating 5X cash back quarterly throughout the year but travel usually ISN'T one..still if you are using this year's rates ($222x6 people for a 4 day park hopper) then you'd earn back ~$26. Same if you used Citi Double Cash card (the name says it all). The price will go up for 2019 of course, and if you are going during the holidays then the Armed Forces Salute won't work.

ITT/MWR might code as travel so if you are into earning flexible travel points with Chase (either Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve) then they would possibly earn you 2x or 3x ultimate rewards (I can't swear that ITT codes as travel, however).

Since you're not buying until 2019 and I don't know when you'll be going to WDW, this might not apply to you next year. I'd become familiar with price comparisons at your MWR/ITT --- ours has a great flier which has the different options laid out- you can down load or pick one up then compare with Undercover Tourist. There are folks here who have used UT with great success but honestly it's never been cheaper for me...I just don't go to the parks during the AFS blackout dates.

 

[Haley R]

Hello everyone! I just got back from a trip to Universal and we had a great time! I need to catch up on about 30 pages but I figured I'd give a summary on how I used points for my trip

I used southwest points and companion pass to fly 5 of us to Orlando. I used UR points to pay for two rooms at Royal Pacific for two nights which gave us express pass for 3 days, and one room at Sapphire Falls for two nights. I paid cash for the second room at Sapphire by booking an AP rate of $139/night. I used my CSR and my travel credit. This was my first time at Sapphire Falls and I really enjoyed the hotel. The Strongwater Tavern had excellent food and I highly recommend! If it weren't for the lack of express pass I would definitely stay at Sapphire again.

I also bought three 5 day park to park passes with UR's. There was a promo for buy 3 days get 2 days free. I price bridged the tickets at the park and upgraded to seasonal AP's for $0! The guy at the guest services thought it was a mistake and called his manager over to make sure it was ok to give me a seasonal pass for $0, haha. Tip: There is a guest services window at the Hogsmeade station where you can upgrade your tickets. There was NO LINE. Much better than waiting in line at the front of the park.

I used my priority pass for the first time at MCO. The rest of my group didn't want to risk going through security again but I have TSA precheck thanks to my CSR so I enjoyed the lounge by myself and going through security again was a breeze.

All in all, I was really glad to be able to take my dad and my son's friend along with us for this mostly free trip thanks to this thread!

Does everyone in your group get TSA precheck or just you since you have the card? I’m asking because Dh has the CSR but I don’t. Also, do you have to buy the tickets with the CSR to get TSA precheck?

 

[amalone1013]

Hi everyone! I was advised via another thread I started that I should come over here and ask for some help. So here I am!

I'm about to start my first Disney vacation with my daughter and I'd like to start planning to take her on another one. But not like next year, or even the year after, but probably something closer to 5 years. I'd like start saving (obviously) but also figure out other ways to make the most of my money and spending so I can have my money do more for me! I poked around this thread some and, quite frankly, was super overwhelmed. There's a lot of phrases and abbreviations that I don't follow.

But I'm told everyone here is super friendly and willing to hold my hand (metaphorically speaking) to help me out

So... hi!

Welcome to...

Oh r/churning...how strange you are. Just another reason why I love my DISchurner family...

My response to this comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/95vgz5/daily_discussion_thread_august_09_2018/e3w5m06/ has a score of -2 currently meaning at least 3 people have downvoted it.

What did I say? Oh just that my wife has a fear of flying and that we prefer to go to Disney World and the Gulf of Mexico for our vacations vs. Europe, etc. Who in their right mind would downvote somebody's personal preference?? I even said I don't judge anybody whose preferences are different. Sorry, I'll end my rant but these people are idiots sometimes.

There is a culture in r/churning that says if you aren't flying first class to Thailand you aren't playing the game right (or pick some other strange extravagant trip that I have no interest in). It's really a poison over there because I think people just compete to show a great redemption, and is it really what they wanted to do?

I know we have some folks here looking to go international, and that's so cool! I hope they enjoy it. For us, give me some sand, the gulf of Mexico, some bikes and a kayak and I'm gooooood

Gee @SouthFayetteFan, you need to stop going to Disney, book some fancy travel to Japan, and don't go to Captiva anymore because it's boring People are crazy! I had to do the second quote because Thailand was going to be my original example

 

[Lain]

Question: Will Amex overnight new platinum card?

We had a kitchen flood and just found out that our cabinets are being pulled Monday and we have not yet ordered new ones!

I pulled the Amex 100k offer but didn't pull the trigger in June. Hoping I can pull it again today. I need a really high limit. Otherwise may do double dip for DH, but he just got Marriott card in May and a SW card last year. Not sure if that will be a red flag for Chase?

We are looking at $40k in materials cost, easy, in the next month so want to maximize rewards!!!

If we dont get new card, which would be best for hone depot:
Either Sapphire
Amex
Discover

Thanks!

Amex will automatically expedite a Platinum card via UPS Express Envelope, which takes about 2 business days.

The Platinum card is a charge card, so it technically doesn’t have a hard credit limit, but you do have to pay the statement balance off every month unless you’re enrolled in a pay over time option.

If you can’t pull up the 100k MR offer on the personal Platinum again, you could consider calling in to Amex for the Business Platinum, if you’re comfortable applying for a business card over the phone and chatting a little about your business. (It’s actually pretty painless.) Last month, the Amex Platinum had a call in offer for 100k MR after spending $10k in 3 months. This is one of the best offers historically for the Biz Plat. Although the call in number has been pulled for this offer, there are reports that you can still get this offer if you call using a direct line to an Amex rep. (Let me know if you’re interested and I might be able to help.) One benefit of the Biz Plat over the personal Plat is payments over $5000 earn 1.5x MR, and it looks like you have a lot of spend coming up. (But keep in mind that Plastiq has recently tightened enforcement of what can be paid using an Amex, including no contractors apparently.) The Biz Plat also has a lower $450 AF (but doesn’t include Uber or Saks credits). And at least one more thing, a Biz Plat won’t add to your 5/24 count if you’re not done with Chase.

 

[afan]

Calling SEA peeps-- @afan and I think someone else I am missing? I need some lounge input if you have any. I am starting to panic about my late night flights with two kids and no DH to help!

I am flying out of SEA with my dds (6 & 10) to AK to go visit family. Flight times are disappointing (but red eyes are pretty much mandatory for Anc flights). I am taking the train up from my house and will get an Uber to the airport. Because of train times I will have about 3.5 hours to kill, 1600-1930 on a Wednesday evening and between 5am and 630am the following Wednesday. Would it be worth it you think to get an Amex card to gain access to the Centurion lounge? I am thinking if we have someplace nice to recharge a bit it will help with sleepy/cranky kids. I have PP with my CSR so I don't know if those lounges are comparable? My other issue is that I have waited until 1 week prior to my trip so I would need to get it expedited.

It might all be fine. I did a redeye when they were 2 and 6 and that was so so awful I swore I would never do it again. It's dd10 though that turns into a pumpkin when the clock strikes bedtime. Maybe she can handle it better now that shes older? I'm talking out loud here.

I've only used The Club in the south satellite, which won't be where you are flying from. I don't know how the lounges will be but I would guess with those times, esp if they are weekday flights that you won't be able to get into an AS lounge with PP. There is another Club lounge but it's in the main terminal so could be doable as long as you give yourself enough time to get to the gate. The problem would be if you want to try for an AS lounge, esp if you are in the north terminal, and it's closed to PP, it'll be a trip back to the main terminal that you may not want to take.

I'm hoping since AS won't allow PP at all starting Sept 1 that they get a restaurant or two added. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Lain]

Does everyone in your group get TSA precheck or just you since you have the card? I’m asking because Dh has the CSR but I don’t. Also, do you have to buy the tickets with the CSR to get TSA precheck?

You have to apply for Global Entry or TSA Precheck separately. Several premium travel rewards credit cards, including the CSR, include (partly to justify their fee) a statement credit up for $100 to cover the cost of applying for GE or Precheck. You apply for GE/Precheck, pay with the CSR, and get a statement credit. The CSR doesn’t automatically confer GE/Precheck status. You’re responsible for going through the application process and getting approved.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I made a RMN Walgreens purchase without a filler and it’s pending. I did Staples offer today with a filler. That showed up pending 5 minutes later. I did the Office Depot offer Monday. I made a non gift card purchase (had a free OD gc to use) met the threshold but OD split the order. So it looked as though I didn’t meet the threshold. I emailed RMN this morning with a screenshot of my confirmation. They responded within the hour and deposited the $15 into my account.

OK thx. My Walgreens worked great, no filler. I just used a Nordstrom rack offer that hasn't gone pending yet. Will hold onto the receipt in case. Think I may order from sams online and throw GC in with the order to see what happens.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I ran out at lunch and purchased a $25 Amazon gc at Walmart with my CF, and the $5 is showing as pending on RMN. That was the only item I purchased.

You have a Walmart offer!?

 

[Lain]

Thanks- is there something I've missed re upcoming Marriott offers I may be waiting on (instead of SGP Biz) which would stop me from wanting this one? I guess that's what I'm wondering

What SPG and Marriott cards do you currently have and when did you get them?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I don't think I missed someone posting this yet, but for those anxiously awaiting SWA flights to Hawaii like me: https://beatofhawaii.com/southwest-hawaii-airline-update/ It looks like sales before October with flights starting by the end of the year!!! So excited and hope it's true

Oh boy, I am gonna need to kick it into a higher gear to replenish all the UR/SW points I just wiped out for our Dec cruise. I am suddenly seeing a use for my marriott cert.

 

[MrPTato]

Storytime my friends…

It was June 2016…Chase’s new 5/24 rule was running amuck . Churning plans had gone awry and a new strategy needed to be hatched . I was 15/24 at the time, Mrs. SouthFayetteFan was 16/24. We had just both gotten AMEX Hilton cards and I was questioning what I was even doing in the game at that point . One night after midnight, I read an article on DoC about the AMEX Schwab Plat and it’s 1.25x cashout . I knew there were tons of AMEX MR cards but previously had no use for them . A plan started to form…

If I could distract myself with AMEX MR cards …and allow my wife’s report to sit dormant …perhaps someday we could dream of being back under 5/24 . If we didn’t apply for a single card in her name we would be <5/24 in April 2018. It sounded a long way off …it was a long way off. So we began to implement the strategy, I went from AMEX card to AMEX card (never adding an AU). My wife would take my card at times, or we’d buy VGCs at our grocery store for her to use. I got 13 more cards in the last 6 months of 2016 (including our first business card – a Marriott Biz).

In late 2016, the CSR card came out. I was sick that we couldn’t get it due to 5/24 , I remained resolved to our strategy, to one day hold in my hands a CSR ! Then CIP comes along…also subject to 5/24. We continued on – I got 10 more cards in 2017, 6 personal and 4 biz cards. My wife got back in the act a bit too with 4 AMEX biz cards of her own.

Finally, April 2018 arrived and we chose to hit the CIP first. Since this was a biz card, it would only be an inquiry on the report. We met the spend, and earned our largest signup bonus EVER (in terms of value) . And so we resumed waiting…

Until today my friends. Yes today, the glorious 9th day of August, 2018. For today my friends…I am now approved for a CSR and CSP!! A card that was 26 months in the making. I almost want to cry …to see this strategy culminate today is just amazing! The fact that during those 2+ years, nothing changed to negatively impact my plan is amazing. In fact…many new AWESOME cards came out during that time.

So yes – I was approved for my double dip! I called in this morning to see if there was a way to get my BiL credit after the fact for the referral. I’m going to send some screenshots and see if it will work. Such a happy day!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

So I haven't opened any credit cards (or become an authorized user of) in the last 24 months. Leastways, that I can recall. All of my cards I've had a for quite some time. Do you want to know what cards I have?

I would likely fly there, but it's not necessary. I live in Washington, DC, so it's technically drivable. Not doing it this time because the idea of taking a 5 year-old on a 14 hour road trip makes me want to cry. I don't have any favorite airlines either. My wife has a Southwest card that she uses for an occasional flight to visit a friend out in Chicago.

We're flying JetBlue for this upcoming trip.

you’ve received a lot of great advice during my 2 hour drive home from work

I also think the Chase UR points are the way to go...If your ok with opening a business apply for the CIP, as others have recommend...the 80,000 points after spending $5,000the first 3 months are a great start...it’s what I did...then recommended by husband for it since May we have accumulated 190,000UR points....so I’m very happy....they can be usedto book Disney hotels and also transfer to SW which is what we fly often.

If you’d rather start with personal cards the CSR and CSP double dip is recommended for the 100,000UR after spending $8,000 the first 3 months I’ve learned here to put everything on my credit cards...phone, cable, insurance ..etc things I use to write checks for...

You mentioned in another post about your credit score going down...mine has pretty much stayed the same...up or down 5-10 points nothing significant..

 

[LB002]

Amex will automatically expedite a Platinum card via UPS Express Envelope, which takes about 2 business days.

The Platinum card is a charge card, so it technically doesn’t have a hard credit limit, but you do have to pay the statement balance off every month unless you’re enrolled in a pay over time option.

If you can’t pull up the 100k MR offer on the personal Platinum again, you could consider calling in to Amex for the Business Platinum, if you’re comfortable applying for a business card over the phone and chatting a little about your business. (It’s actually pretty painless.) Last month, the Amex Platinum had a call in offer for 100k MR after spending $10k in 3 months. This is one of the best offers historically for the Biz Plat. Although the call in number has been pulled for this offer, there are reports that you can still get this offer if you call using a direct line to an Amex rep. (Let me know if you’re interested and I might be able to help.) One benefit of the Biz Plat over the personal Plat is payments over $5000 earn 1.5x MR, and it looks like you have a lot of spend coming up. (But keep in mind that Plastiq has recently tightened enforcement of what can be paid using an Amex, including no contractors apparently.) The Biz Plat also has a lower $450 AF (but doesn’t include Uber or Saks credits). And at least one more thing, a Biz Plat won’t add to your 5/24 count if you’re not done with Chase.

Thanks, Lain. I can have DH do that, he has a legitimate small side business. He already called Amex (for his personal card) and they have approved up to $50k single purchase on that card. I wish i had more advance notice so I could have better CC strategy set up. We will have other big expenses, but not sure all vendors will take CC.

 

[Alexle2007]

Does everyone in your group get TSA precheck or just you since you have the card? I’m asking because Dh has the CSR but I don’t. Also, do you have to buy the tickets with the CSR to get TSA precheck?

Once your DH goes through the application and screening process for GE/TSA Pre-check (I'd actually do the GE since that will help with the international flights and clearing customs), you will go into his rewards account and add his known traveler number to the account. With the SW (which is who we typically fly), once it is on your account and you've added your RR # when you booked the flight, it will connect it to the known traveler number and you'll see the TSA pre-check when you check in for the flight. For some reason, my account has been wonky and it doesn't always pick up so I end up calling SW to have it corrected. I hear if your reservations are all booked together then everyone typically get it. But I can't confirm since DH, DS and I all have it. You do not need to pay using the CSR since the pre-check is tied to your airline reward account and not to the credit card. If your DH gets the GE, he will not need the actual card when he clears customs. It is tied to his passport. I will say we absolutely love GE since there is a special line for it our home airport (BWI) and it is so quick. Plus we get to grab our luggage and go without having to put it through the scanner. I think you are heading to Japan at some point so GE is definitely the way to go. I'd figure out how to get it for yourself also. DH and my fee was covered but we ended up biting the bullet and paying for DS's (since even the kids need it to go through the special line.)

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I need SW points and my gears are turning....

Has anyone read about someone doing the SW Biz and the next month DD the SW personals? SW personal DD is working, correct?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I myself do not fly well at all, so I sympathize with your wife. I hate it, I want to travel internationally, but things are tough. But yes, Reddit is a hivemind. All of it, not just r/churning. The real affection of r/churning is international travel in premium business class, especially the lie flat seats. They are obsessed with CPP and will pay more out of pocket if it means a higher CPP. It's generally not a good place if you aren't well-versed in Chase churning and traveling out of the country.



Hah, I think you're being pretty optimistic in your helpful percentage there...

I never reported back but our flight to and from Captiva went well recently. My wife took an anti-anxiety med and it helped. She also colored the whole flight to keep her mind pre-occupied. Thanks to all here who said a prayer or were thinking of us on that trip! I'm so glad she was ok and we can still fly places (I mean what else would we do with 500k SW points, LOL!)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I do wonder how many of those on r/churning with this attitude have families. If I were single or we were DINKs, my goals may be different. Trying to get enough points to get 6 people across the pond is a lot different than moving 1-2. However, my dh and I are also really simple people and easily amused . We don’t need a lot to keep us happy. Sun, sand, beach, throw in some occasional Disney, we are good!

I’d also suggest that the majority of r/churning skews single or married without children, which influences their travel style and redemptions toward more exotic and aspirational locations, and also means many of them haven’t thought about how having kids changes things. That’s why there are so many jokes about churning partners (ha ha, like we haven’t heard that one before), or disdain against families crowding up their precious lounges (calling kids animals, really?), and why so many people can’t understand how a Disney vacation brings happiness to our children and makes us older folks feel like kids again too.

Yeah - r/churning is full of a lot of young 20 somethings. It didn't used to be that way, back a few years ago when we had like 20k subscribers. (I know we have some younger folks here on our thread too, but they aren't jerks, LOL). It seems this hobby has appealed well to the younger crowd but many of them are quite simply jerks who I don't care for. I like how a lot of our conversation here caters to families (especially with children) trying to take trips. I got on a plane 3 times before I was 18...The things I can do for my family with this game is INSANE!

 

[Lain]

Thanks, Lain. I can have DH do that, he has a legitimate small side business. He already called Amex (for his personal card) and they have approved up to $50k single purchase on that card. I wish i had more advance notice so I could have better CC strategy set up. We will have other big expenses, but not sure all vendors will take CC.

So, are you getting a personal Platinum, calling in for the Business Platinum, or putting the upcoming spend on your husband’s card?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Seriously, fake internet points!

I rarely post on r/churning, but when I do I DGAF.

Who the F cares about karma points anymore now that referrals are dead?

Oh look, I have over 10k Likes here. That means more to me than all the karma I could ever earn over at Reddit.

So I should mention, I've been named a mod of r/churningreferrals. I'm working with zachiv31 to keep the referrals going there. I'll probably share some details once I know more.

 

[Albort]

Does everyone in your group get TSA precheck or just you since you have the card? I’m asking because Dh has the CSR but I don’t. Also, do you have to buy the tickets with the CSR to get TSA precheck?

in theory, if one person in the family(on the same reservation) has TSA pre/Global Entry, u should all have it.
on paper, u all need to have your own to all get TSA pre.

sign up for more cards... lol. Thats what i did. all my TSA pres are credit card reimbursements.